I towed (on a tow dolly) the 65 Monza 140 hp 4 speed rear wheels down, and the engine locked up twice when off loading. First time I was able push the car in reverse and pop the clutch, engine turned over and ran well all weekend.
Second time (return trip) not so lucky. Engine is locked after several pushing attempts.
When we left I had the car in gear when loading forgot and pulled off a few feet. Noticed the resistance and knocked it out of gear.
the return trip car was in gear while tighting the tiedowns but out of gear before moving.
Both times I heard a loud clunking noise when the starter stopped turning.
Thoughts please.....

How are you determining that the engine is "Locked"?

"Run She May, Shine She Must"
Been Aircooled Since 1973
Northwest Ohio 45840

starter would turn a few revs then bind at the point of the loud knock.
UPDATE: was able to turn engine through manually this morning. Engine cranked afterward.
whoohoo!!!
Still concerned about the issue as it relates to towing

If the fuel tank was pretty full you can get a hydraulic lock with fuel draining downward through the carbs and into the cyinders. Bouncing the car down the road makes the floats bounce open and closed.

best wishes, Steve
Rear Engine Spec. Inc. Golden, Colo.

1962 spyder 3.0L turbo---1965 Crown V8
1967 monza 110/4---1968 monza 110/4
1971 amante gt 110/4
CORSA/RMC/PPCC/V8 Registry

>> First time I was able push the car in reverse and pop the clutch,<<

Excellent way to blow any transmission.

Richard Wrote:
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> >> First time I was able push the car in reverse and pop the clutch,<<
>
> Excellent way to blow any transmission.

? Full throttle is going to put a lot more strain on a transmission than turning over the engine. I've started manual cars this way tons of times over the years. Way back in the late 80s my '63 Monza got started that way daily while waiting for me to have the time and money to rebuild the starter. I've started my Rampside like that numerous times over the last few weeks since it dies a lot with the idle problem it has.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2023 12:25PM by joelsplace.

steve c goodman Wrote:
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> If the fuel tank was pretty full you can get a hydraulic lock with fuel draining downward through the carbs and into the cyinders. Bouncing the car down the road makes the floats bounce open and closed.

Sounds like exactly that to me as well. I parked on a nose-up incline once with a full tank of fuel and the next morning, one cylinder was full of fuel. It stopped the starter instantly with a loud whack sound.

Dave W. / Gilbert Arizona
65 Corsa 140/4 Butternut Yellow
66 Corsa 140/4 Stinger Tribute
66 Corsa 140/4 w/factory A/C Aztec Bronze
65 Monza 4DR 140/PG w/factory A/C Ermine White
65 Monza 4DR EJ20T/5 Light Metallic Blue

Easy to know. Did it blow a bunch of fuel and black smoke out the exhaust when you got it started?

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

Did you miss the REVERSE part? Starting any vehicle in 2nd or 3rd works just fine and puts very little strain on the drive train.
Pushing in reverse forces the trans reverse gears to begin spinning the engine 3 1/2 times faster than the trans input and about 12 times faster than the axle speed.

I didn't have the ignition on when "popping the clutch" in reverse or 1st either time. I run an electric fuel pump but did smell gas.

No, I didn't miss the reverse part. If you aren't moving very fast the extra speed is exactly what you need.
Of course if your engine is hydro locked then you don't need to be turning it over at all until you drain it.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2023 02:19PM by joelsplace.

By trying to turn over (rotate) a locked up engine by using the weight of the car through the gearbox might put some strain on the woodruff keys in the crank hub.

Makes no difference as to fuel pump mechanical or electric it is simply having the tank higher than the engine.

I never never ever park a Corvair with the nose up for more than a few minutes

best wishes, Steve
Rear Engine Spec. Inc. Golden, Colo.

1962 spyder 3.0L turbo---1965 Crown V8
1967 monza 110/4---1968 monza 110/4
1971 amante gt 110/4
CORSA/RMC/PPCC/V8 Registry

Richard I'll have to admit that "popping" the clutch in his situation wasn't good for anything. Crank, rods, transmission etc. I let it out smoothly when I push start.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

Yeah Joel, I am with you on that.
Under "Normal" circumstances (Not this case here), I too have done many reverse gear push starts.
Sometimes(like on a HILL) that is the only way possible.
But maybe richard has the muscle to push-start cars uphill?

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WA. state, 1 mile south of the Canadian border, I am not at the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

If I think there's any possibility of hydro-locking I remove the spark plugs and turn it over. I don't want to bend a connecting rod.

Jim Brandberg
Isanti, MN
CorvairRepair.com

I'm sorry to hear of the troubles the OP had but I'm learning something new here. Try not to park nose up for long periods of time and don't tow it in this manor.
Thanks.

JimBrandberg Wrote:
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> If I think there's any possibility of hydro-locking I remove the spark plugs and turn it over. I don't want to bend a connecting rod.


I figger it's waaaaay too late for that. If you can bend one with starter motor, I'll guarantee you can do it push starting it.

"Run She May, Shine She Must"
Been Aircooled Since 1973
Northwest Ohio 45840

gasman63 Wrote:
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> I'm sorry to hear of the troubles the OP had but I'm learning something new here. Try not to park nose up for long periods of time and don't tow it in this manor.
> Thanks.


I've towed with the front end on a dolly (extensively?), and never had the issue, even with a full tank, so its not an 'it will always happen' type thing.


Eric P.
DeWitt, IA

isucorvair Wrote:
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> gasman63 Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > I'm sorry to hear of the troubles the OP had but I'm learning something new here. Try not to park nose up for long periods of time and don't tow it in this manor.
> > Thanks.
>
>
> I've towed with the front end on a dolly (extensively?), and never had the issue, even with a full tank, so its not an 'it will always happen' type thing.
>
>
> Eric P.
> DeWitt, IA

Thanks for your comment. All good info to know.

I agree with not having the hydro lock happen always. My 66 More Door has had its front wheels on 10" ramps for 7 days and it started right up with no issues. It has 3/4 tank of fuel,electric fuel pump, fuel filter in left rear wheel well area and fuel lines in front of the fan. I would have though this situation would have caused the fuel to head for the cylinders. It all has to do with the seal at the float pin. My carbs were built 5 years ago. Mainly unleaded premium fuel used, but I have added used several tanks of Marine gas. I have also added several one gallon containers of 115/145 avgms over the years. So I think my fuel systems and rebuilt engine cylinders are in good condition for having 20k on them.

I thin the hydro lock occurs on cars not maintained properly and the cars have also have other fuel system related issues.

Al
Georgia



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2023 05:03AM by Lane66m.